Migraine-Friendly Hacks to Survive the Summer

Many people look forward to the warm summer months, but for some who suffer from migraines, the summer season can pose unique challenges. The increased heat, bright sunlight, and outdoor activities can trigger migraines and make them more difficult to manage.

Our compassionate team at Summit Primary Care understands the impact migraines have on your quality of life. 

Here’s what you can do to enjoy the warm weather and survive the summer migraine season:

Drink more water

We tend to sweat more during the hot summer months, and if we don’t drink enough water, we can become dehydrated. Dehydration is a common trigger for migraines, so ensuring you drink enough water in the summer can help prevent migraines. 

Keep a reusable water bottle with you, and drink water regularly to replace water lost through sweat. You can also help prevent dehydration by increasing the amount of hydrating foods you consume, such as cucumbers, watermelons, and leafy greens.

Wear sunglasses

For many migraine sufferers, bright sunlight can trigger the symptoms. You can help prevent migraines caused by sunlight with polarized sunglasses that block harmful UV rays and reduce glare. 

You may also want to wear a wide-brimmed hat to add shade to your face when you’re outdoors. 

Plan around extreme heat and humidity

Extreme heat and humidity can trigger migraines in some people. Studies show an increase in the number of people visiting emergency rooms during high humidity.

Try to plan outdoor activities during the early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are cooler. When you must go outside, take breaks in shaded areas to prevent overheating.

Manage stress

While not directly related to the summer months, stress is a common migraine trigger throughout the year. But traveling and summer vacations can introduce a new set of stressors that can increase your risk for migraines.

Reduce your risk of stress-induced migraines by practicing stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to help relax your mind and body. Make time for activities you enjoy, whether it's reading a book, taking a walk in nature, or spending time with loved ones. Taking care of your mental and emotional well-being can help prevent migraine attacks.

Avoid diet triggers

What you eat can cause migraines during any season, but the summer can introduce new routines and activities that may lead you to eat things you normally wouldn’t.

Pay attention to your diet and avoid common migraine triggers like artificial sweeteners, processed foods, alcohol, and excessive caffeine. If you suspect that certain foods trigger your migraines, keep a food diary to track what you eat and when a migraine occurs to help you know which ones to avoid.

Maintain your sleep routine

For many of us, our sleep routines are disrupted throughout the summer with later nights, travel, or events keeping us up later or simply changing our typical sleep patterns. Changing sleep patterns may trigger migraines for some people.

To reduce the risk of sleep-related migraines, try to keep a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.

Get help for migraines

If the above lifestyle changes aren’t enough to prevent migraines, call the office or schedule an appointment online at one of our offices in La Junta, Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo, Colorado. Together, we can develop a comprehensive plan to manage your migraines and improve your quality of life, so you can enjoy all that summer has to offer.